Relief for Lower Back Pain That Travels Down Your Leg
Pain that radiates from your lower back into your buttock, thigh, calf, or foot may be caused by lumbar radiculopathy. This condition occurs when a spinal nerve in the lower back becomes compressed or irritated.
At Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics, our comprehensive Spine Team provides personalized treatment designed to relieve pain, restore mobility, and help you return to your normal activities.
What Is Lumbar Radiculopathy?
Lumbar radiculopathy occurs when one of the nerve roots leaving the lumbar spine becomes compressed.
Many patients know this condition as sciatica, although sciatica refers specifically to symptoms caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve.
What Causes Lumbar Radiculopathy?
Common causes include:
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Bone spurs
- Spondylolisthesis
What Are the Symptoms of Lumbar Radiculopathy?
Symptoms often include:
- Lower back pain
- Buttock pain
- Shooting leg pain
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Difficulty walking
- Pain below the knee
Lumbar Radiculopathy vs. Sciatica
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they are slightly different.
Lumbar radiculopathy is the medical diagnosis describing compression of a lumbar spinal nerve.
Sciatica describes the pain, numbness, or tingling that travels along the sciatic nerve into the leg.
Many cases of sciatica are caused by lumbar radiculopathy, but identifying the exact cause helps guide the most effective treatment.
How Does CSMO Treat Lumbar Radiculopathy?
Treatment options may include:
- Spine specialist evaluation
- Physical therapy
- Activity modification
- Image-guided spinal injections
- Interventional pain management
- Medication
- Consultation with one of our Spine Surgeons
Most patients improve without surgery. If surgery becomes necessary, our surgeons offer minimally invasive procedures and Motion Preservation Spine Surgery for appropriate candidates.
When Should You See a Spine Specialist?
Schedule an evaluation if you experience:
- Leg pain lasting longer than several weeks
- Pain radiating below the knee
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty walking
- Symptoms that interfere with daily activities
The sooner lumbar radiculopathy is diagnosed, the sooner the CSMO Spine Team can begin a personalized treatment plan to relieve pain, restore mobility, and help you return to an active lifestyle.